Can top and cap.



No. 697,038. Patented Apr. 8, I902.

J. B'. STEWART.

CAN TUP AND CAP.

(Application filed June 26, 19017) (No Mude l.)

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UNTTED dTnTEs PATENT @FFICE;

JAMES BARDLEY STEIVART, OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA.

CAN TOP AND CAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,038, dated April 8, 1902.

Application filed June 25,1901. Serial No. 65,976. No model.)

To all, whmn, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES BARDLEY STEW- ART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chico, in the county of Butte and State of California, have invented a new and useful Can Top and Cap, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a can top and cap; and the intent and purpose of the presentconstruction is to provide a more efficient means of closing a can or the like and insure a tight-soldered joint that can be effected without delayand without in the least injuring or affecting the contents of the can.

In can-tops as heretofore constructed there is a single solder crease or groove into which the edge of the cap directly fits, and in this common form of can-top it is impossible to keep the syrup of the fruit placed in the can from entering the said groove or crease and remaining in the latter. The form of this common form of groove or crease is such that it is very difficult to brush it out when hot water is applied, as it is the lowest point and the sweetened water willnaturally liein it. Any solution of sugar is very hard to solder over, as the sugar burns, forming charcoal over which the solder will not How. WVhen the cap is put in place, the edge of the same goes down into this syrup residuum and very often carries particles of fruit from the top pieces in the can down with it, and the sugar and fruit together form a substance which burns when the soldering device is applied, as before set forth. Then, again, in the ordinary top the fruit is held down by and presses against the solder groove or crease or the hottest part when the solder is melted. This being the case, the fruit is burned frequently, and also the syrupinside of the can, with obvious disadvantages. The present improvement obviates these disadvantages.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will'be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through the upper portion of a can-body, showing the improved can top and cap, the latter being secured by solder or the like. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the improved cap. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the improved can-top.

The numeral 1 designates acan-body of usual form having the improved top 2 thereon. The latter is form ed with a central opening 3, with a circumferential groove or crease 1 adjacent thereto, said groove or crease occupying the lowest depressed portion of the top. Next to the said groove or crease and above the plane of the latter is a horizontal shoulder 5, also circumferentially continued in relation to the top and located at the inner lower terminal of an upstanding bead 6, the remaining portion of the top being of the usual or any preferred form of construction.

The cap 7 is constructed as usual, except that it is provided with a horizontal peripheral flange 8, which is applied to the shoulder 5, and when the said parts are so disposed it will be seen in Fig. 1 that the shoulder and cap-flange are elevated above the groove or crease i and also above the plane of the fruit or juice or syrup of the latter that may be poured into the can when the latter is filled. Hence the soldering operation can be carried on without injuring the contents of the can in the least by the heat resulting from and attending said operation. Moreover, it will be seen that though syrup may lodge in the groove or crease at the shoulder 5will be free of the same, or in case that the syrup run over on the shoulder the latter can be easily wiped in view of its horizontal position. Furthermore, the cap will be so high above the contents of the can when applying the same that none of the said contents will be forced down therewith or even touched thereby.

In view of the foregoing improved features it will be seen that a superior article is produced and the contents of a can will go into the market in a superior condition.

The groove or crease 4:, by being located at the lowest plane of any portion of the can-top, will press the fruit or other contents of the can-body downwardly away from the horizontal shoulder 5, and thereby prevents said fruit or contents from becoming burned or injured during the soldering operation. Furthermore, the said crease 4:,standing inwardly and below the plane of the shoulder 5, will also prevent the lodgment of the juice on the said shoulder, and although the juice may run into the said crease it will not interfere with the soldering operation in the least.

Another important feature of the present construction is the upstanding bead 6, which prevents the solder from running over onto the portion of the top outside of the location of the said bead. The said bead also facilitates'the application of the top by providing means for accurately holding it in place.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A can-top comprising a central opening surrounded byadepressed grooved or creased wall which occupies the lowest level of the under side of the top and has its inner edge upwardly bent, and a horizontal shoulder above the plane of said wall and completely surrounding the latter, and a cap having a horizontal peripheral flange to engage said shoulder and be Wholly disposed above the said depressed grooved or creased wall.

2; Acan-top havinga central opening therein with a depressed wall therearound forming the lowest portion of the top, the inner edge of the said depressed wall being struck upwardly,the top also having a horizontal shoulder extending completely around the same above the plane of the said wall, and a cap having an edge portion to bear upon the said shoulder.

3. A can-top comprising a central opening surrounded by a depressed grooved or creased wall which occupies the lowest level of the under side of the top and has its inner edge upwardly bent, and a horizontal shoulder above the plane of said wall and completely surrounding the latter, the said top also being formed with an upstanding bead located at the outer portion of said shoulder to prevent the solder from running over onto the top, beyond the said head, and a cap having a horizontal peripheral flange to engage said shoulder and be disposed wholly above the plane of the depressed grooved or creased wall around the opening in the top.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES BARDLEY STEWART.

WVitnesses:

JULIAN F. ROSENBERG, A. H. CREW. 

